News Briefs

Significant Increase in Visitors to Old City and Kotel

There was a significant increase in the number of people visiting the Old City of Jerusalem and the Western Wall (Hakotel Hama'aravi) of the Temple in 2012, according to the Israel Police.

Commander Moshe Barkat of the police department's David District said the figure of 20.5 million included regular worshippers, tourists and other visitors, participants in mass prayers, holiday worshippers, Christian pilgrims and others. He added that the Jerusalem and David District police will continue to work day and night to ensure the safety of all who enter the gates of the Old City and the Western Wall. He noted that several young men have been arrested who were involved in incidents in which Jews were attacked, and against some have even been indicted.